Draft rigging



A ril 29, 1941. D. s. BARROWS ET AL DRAFT RIGGING 2 Sheet's-Sheet 1Filed April 27, 1957 Dona./d SBa/FOWS,

April 29, 1941.

D. s. BARROWS ET AL DRAFT RIGGING Filed April 27, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Patented Apr. 29, 1941 DRAFT RIGGING Donald S. Barrows and Emil H.Blattner, Rochester, N. Y., minors to The Symington-Gould Corporation,Rochester, N. Y., a corporation of Maryland Application April 27, 1937,Serial No. 139,278

23 Claims.

The invention pertains to draft riggings for railway vehicles withparticular reference to the connection between a yoke or yoke-actingmeans and an associated coupler.

One of the objects of the invention is the provision, in a railway draftrigging, of an auxiliary or supplementary yoke and the novel connectionthereof to an associated coupler and yoke or yoke-acting means wherebythe coupler is free to rotate, with respect to the latter, on thelongitudinal axis of the draft rigging.

Another object of the invention is the pro-. vision of a universalconnection between the coupler and yoke or yoke-acting means of arailway draft rigging thereby allowing the coupler to move horizontallywith respect to said yoke while the railway vehicle is traversing acurve as well as move vertically with respect to said yoke in order tocompensate for the displacement of the coupler through the range ofmovement required in hump yard service or for irregularities in therails and for the varying height of associated vehicle bodies withrespect to the rails.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a universalcoupler-yoke connection comprising a supplementary yoke connectedsubstantially rigidly to an associated drawbar or coupler and connecteduniversally to an associated yoke or yoke-acting means, both. of saidconnections being readily adjustable in order to compensate for weartherein which may result from the continued use thereof.

The structure of the present invention may be used in combination with atight-lock coupler, that is, a coupler which will retain two associatedcouplers in constant relation without relative movement in alongitudinal direction.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent to thoseskilled in the art by referring to the accompanying drawings whichcomprise a part of the present specification and disclose exemplaryforms of the present invention, wherein:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a railway draftrigging embodying a form of the present invention, the medial portion ofwhich is shown in section, taken along the longitudinal axis of thestructure to more clearly illustrate the invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken along the lines 2-2 ofFigure 1,,looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is a sectional view, takenvalong the lines 3-4 of Figure 1,looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a structure embodyinga modified form of the invention disclosed by Figures 1 to 3 with themedial portion thereof shown in section in order to more clearlyillustrate the modified structure.

Figure 5 is a sectional view, taken along the lines 5-5 of Figure 4,looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference charactersdesignate like parts, and considering initially the embodiment of theinvention illustrated by Figures 1 to 3 thereof, the yoke or yoke-actingmeans I comprises a pair of spaced arms 2,- the rear portions of whichare adapted to embrace and to bear against a cushioning mechanism (notshown). While the rear portions of the arms 2 are illustrated as beinglocated in vertically spaced horizontal planes to form a vertical yoke,it will be understood that they may equally as well be positioned inspaced vertical planes to form links or a horizontal yoke, generallyreferred to as yokeacting means. It is, therefore, to be noted that theyoke or yoke-acting means will be hereinafter referred to as a yoke. Thearms 2 are connected intermediate their ends by an integrally formedrear wall 3 which provides an abutment or bearing wall for thecushioning mechanism and a forwardly opening front wall 4 positioned inspaced relation to the rear wall. Extendin between the front wall 4 andrear wall 3 are a medial web 5 and horizontally spaced reinforcing websB positioned intermediate the arms 2, which transmit bufling forcesapplied to the draft rigging from the front wall to the rear wall. Thefront wall 4 is formed preferably as a spherical ring sector, the outerportions 1, which extend beyond the vertical plane of the arms 2, beingconnected to the forward extremity of the arms by flanges 8, therebypresenting a bellshaped hood adjacent a forward portion of the yoke Iadapted to receive a rear portion of the supplementary yoke 9.

In the present embodiment of the invention the supplementary yoke 9 issubstantially of U-shape in plan and comprises laterally spaced membersI 0 connected integrally adjacent their forward portions by verticallyspaced reinforcing webs II which prevent the arms it from spreading whenthe coupler is moved in a horizontal direction from the normallongitudinal axis. The members l0 extend rearwardly to within thebell-shaped hood of the yoke i and are connected adjacent their rearextremities by an arcuate web l2 which is concentric with the front wall4. The web I2 is provided with an outer convex spherical surface l3engaging the spherically disposed concave surface l4 of the front wall4, thereby presenting an adequate bearing area between the arcuate weband front wall for the transmission of bufling forces as well aspermitting the suppelmentary yoke to move freely in a vertical orhorizontal direction with respect to the yoke I.

In order to provide means for the transmission of draft forces from thesupplementary yoke 3 to the yoke I, a ball I5, formed preferably with anouter convex spherical surface I6 concentric with and engaging the innerconcave spherical surface l6 of the web I2, is connected to the arms 2of the yoke by means of a vertically disposed bolt IT. The bolt I1,arranged to move in a rearward direction longitudinally of the draftrigging, has a wedge-shaped head ll positioned within an aperture l8provided in the top arm 2 and a stem portion l9 extending through themedial portion of the ball l5 and a substantially aligned aperture l8provided in the, lower arm of the yoke I. It will be here observed thatthe bolt 11 is restricted against rotative movement by reason of theformation of the head I1 The aperture l8, occupied by the wedge-shapedhead ll of the bolt, has the rear portion 20 thereof spaced from thehead I! to provide clearance for the rearward movementpf the head andthe forward portion 20 inclined and engaged by a correspondinglyinclined portion of the head H The aperture I8, which is preferablylarger than the aperture l8, has the rear portion 2| thereof spaced fromthe bolt stem 19 for the purpose of providing clearance for the rearwardmovement of the bolt stem, while the forward portion 2| is inclined atsubstantially the same angle of inclination as the portion 20 and isengaged by an associated wedge 22 which forms a bearing for the stem l9and is retained in position by the nut 23 provided on the free end ofthe bolt.

By a manipulation of the nut 23, so as to shorten the effective lengthof the bolt, the head ['1 and wedge 22 will be urged inwardly of theyoke I and, by reason of the inclined portions 20 and 2|, the bolt l1and ball IE will move rearwardly of the draft rigging thereby urging theconvex surface l5 of the ball into surface bearing engagement with theinner concave surface l6 of the arcuate web l2. The rearward movement ofthe bolt l1 and ball 15 will also urge the outer convex surface l3 ofthe arcuate web into bearing relation with the concave surface E4 of thefront wall 4. Thus, by a manipulation of the nut 23, the juxtapositionedsurfaces of the ball l5, arcuate web l2 and front wall 4 may be easilymaintained in bearing relation thereby compensating for any wear in thesupplementary yoke-yoke connection which may result therein fromcontinued use.

Positioned between the spaced members l and reinforcing webs ll of thesupplementary yoke is a shank or stem portion 24 of the coupler 25having side walls 26 thereof preferably engaging the inner surfaces 21of the members Ill. The rear portion of the stem 24 is provided with aconcave spherical surface 28 concentric with and engaging the convexsurface E of the ball I5 thereby providing an adequate bearing areabetween the ball and coupler stem for the transmission of forcesresulting from buffing shocks applied to the coupler.

Forming a connection between the coupler stem 24 and the supplementaryyoke 9 for the transmission of draft forces applied to the draftrigging, a horizontally disposed bolt 29 extends through substantiallyaligned apertures 30 and 30 in the members In of the supplementary yokeand the slot 3| in the coupler stem.

In order to assist the bolt 29 in providing a substantially rigidconnection between the.

coupler stem and the supplementary yoke, the arms in of thesupplementary yoke have, proiecting inwardly therefrom, longitudinallydisposed shear lugs 32 extending on either side of the apertures 30 and30 and engaging complementary grooves or recesses 33 formed in the sidewalls 26 of the coupler stem. The shear lugs 32 and the complementarygrooves 33 also provide a guiding means in order toproperly position thecoupler stem on the longitudinal axis of the draft rigging and therebyretain the concave surface 28 coaxial with the ball l5. It will, ofcourse, be understood that the shear lugs 32 may, if so desired, beformed on side walls 26 of the coupler stem and the complementarygrooves 33 formed in the arms ll! of the supplementary yoke.

By reason of the concave surface 28 engaging the convex surface it) ofthe ball l5 and the shear lugs 32 extending within the grooves 33, therewill not be any hinging action of the coupler about the bolt 23, due tothe displacement of the coupler in a vertical direction. Any hingingaction of the coupler about the bolt 29 will be' prevented upon thedisplacement of the coupler in a horizontal direction by reason of theconcave surface 28 of the coupler stem engaging the ball [5 in additionto the surface bearing relation between the side walls 26 and thesurfaces 21 of the coupler stem and members In respectively.

To compensate for wear, which may result from continued use, thecoupler-supplementary yoke connection is also made adjustable so thatthe surface 28 of the coupler stem may, at all times, be easily retainedin engagement with the ball i 5. The aperture 30 receiving thewedgeshaped bolt head '34 has the rear portion 35 thereof spaced fromthe bolt head to provide clearance for the rearward movement of the headand a forward inclined portion 36 engaging a correspondingly inclinedportion of the wedgeshaped head so that the bolt head, upon being movedinwardly of the supplementary yoke, will be urged in a longitudinaldirection. The aperture 30 has the rear portion 35 thereof spaced fromthe bolt stem 31 to provide clearance for the rearward movement of thestem and the forward inclined portion 36 tapered at substantially thesame angle of inclination as the portion 36, which is engaged by anassociated wedge 38. The wedge 38, acting as a bearing for the bolt stem31, is adapted to be urged inwardly of the yoke to within the slot 3| inthe coupler stem by means of the nut '39 provided on the threaded end ofthe bolt.

Thus, it will be observed that, upon manipulation of the nut 39 so as toshorten the effective length of the bolt 28, the bolt head 34 and wedgesurface 28 of the coupler stem and the convex surface l of the ball II.

From the preceding description it will be noted that buffing forcesapplied to the coupler stem will be transmitted to the forward wall 4 ofthe yoke l, and consequently to the cushioning mechanism, directlythrough the ball l5 and arcuate web I! of the supplementary yoke, whiledraft forces applied to the coupler stem will be transmitted to thesupplementary yoke through the bolt 29 and to the arms 2 of the'yokethrough the bolt l1.

Referring now to Figures 4 and 5 which illustrate a modification of thepreviously described structure,'the yoke I comprises a pairof spacedarms 2 connected intermediate their ends by an integrally formed rearwall 3 which forms an abutment for the cushioning mechanism (not shown)and a front wall 4 spaced from and integrally united with the rear wallby means of a medial web 5 and horizontally disposed reinforcing webs 6.The front wall, comprising arcuate side portions 1 projecting outwardlybeyond the vertical plane of the arms 2 which are connected to theforward extremities of the arms 2 by means of integral gussets orflanges 8 to present a forwardly opening bell-shaped hood, is providedwith a recessed portion 40 for the reception of a removable bearing orwear block 4i.

In the modified structure the auxiliary or supplementary yoke 9 issubstantially U-shape in plan and comprises laterally spaced members I0connected adjacent their forward portions by integrally formedreinforcing webs i I. The members Ill of the supplementary yoke extendrearwardly to within the bell-shaped hood of the yoke I and are directedtoward one another to merge on the longitudinal axis of the draftrigging to thereby form an arcuate web l2. The web l2, adapted totransmit buffing forces to the bearing block 4! and the yoke I, isprovided with a substantially spherical outer convex surface l3 engaginga spherically disposed concave surface i4 provided in the bearing block4| so as to permit the free universal movement of the supplementary yoke9 with respect to the yoke I. The ball I 5, preferably formed with aconvex spherical surface 15 concentric with and engaging the innerconcave spherical surface iii of the web i2, is connected to the yoke bymeans of a vertically disposed bolt I1 which provides for thetransmission of draft forces from the supplementary yoke to the arms 2of the yoke I. The bolt I1 is also arranged so as to move the ball l5rearwardly and thereby ensure a bearing relation between theJuxtapositioned surfaces of the ball l5, arcuate web I2 and wear block4|.

The bolt l1 extends through the medial portion of the ball l5 andaligned apertures 42 and 42 provided in the arms 2 of the yoke. Theaperture 42, occupied by the wedge-shaped bolt head H, has theJrearportion 43 thereof spaced from the bolt head while the forward portion43 thereof is inclined and engaged by a correspondingly inclined portionof the bolt head. The

aperture 42, formed slightly larger than the aperture 42, is providedwith a rear portion 44 thereof spaced from the bolt stem If! to allowfor the rearward movement thereof while the forward portion 44 isinclined at substantially the same angle of inclination as the portion43. Forming a bearing for the bolt stem l9 and engaging the inclinedportion 44 of the aperture 42 is a wedge 22 which is retained inposition and adapted to be moved inwardly of the yoke by means of thenut 23. An inwardly extending flange 42 defining the aperture 42provides a bearing for the ball l5 in order to retain the axis of theball on the longitudinal axis of the draft rigging.

By manipulating the nut 23 so as to shorten the effective length of thebolt I'l, it will be observed that the bolt head and wedge will be urgedinwardly of the yoke I and, by reason of the inclined portions 43 and44, the bolt will move rearwardly of the draft mechanism therebyproviding an adjustable means so as to ensure a surface bearing relationbetween the ball l5, arcuate web l2 and wear block 4 I.

Positioned between the spaced members vIll and the reinforcing webs I iof the supplementary yoke is the shank or stem portion 24 of anassociated coupler 25, the rear portion of which is provided with aconcave spherical sur-v face 28 concentric with and engaging the convexsurface l5 of the ball l5, thereby providing an adequate bearing areabetween the ball and coupler stem for the transmission of buflingforces. The bolt 29, extending through aligned apertures 45 and 45 inthe members I 0 of the supplementary yoke and the slot 3| provided inthe coupler stem, forms a connection between the supplementary yoke andcoupler for the transmission of draft forces, applied to the draftrigging, from the coupler to the supplementary yoke.

In order to retain a bearing relation between the concave surface 28 andthe convex surface l5 of the ball l5 the aperture 45, which receives thewedge-shaped bolt head 34, has the rear portion 46 thereof spaced fromthe bolt head so as to permit the free rearward movement thereof, andthe front portion provided with an inclined surface 47 engaging asimilarly inclined portion provided on the bolt head. The aperture 45,which is partially occupied by an associated wedge 38, has the rearportion 46 thereof similarly spaced from the bolt stem 3'! and a forwardinclined surface 41 disposed at substantially the same angle ofinclination as the portion 41 and engaged by a correspondingly inclinedportion provided on the wedge. The wedge 38, acting as a bearing for thebolt stem 31, is adapted to be urged inwardly of the supplementary yokeby means of the nut 39 provided on the threaded end of the bolt 29.

By a manipulation of the nut 39 so as to shorten the effective length ofthe bolt 29, the bolt head and wedge will be urged inwardly of thesupplementary yoke and, by reason by the wedge-shaped head and wedgeengaging the inclined portions 41 and 41, the bolt and coupler stem willbe urged toward the ball i5, thereby providing an adjustable means toretain the concave surface 28 of the coupler stem in engagement with theconvex surface 15 of the ball l5.

From the preceding description it will be observed that the structure ofthe present invention provides a substantially rigid connection betweenthe coupler and supplementary yoke and a universal connection betweenthe coupler and yoke, thereby allowing the coupler and supplementaryyoke to move freely about the ball in a horizontal or vertical directionas well as rotate on the longitudinal axis of the draft rigging in orderto compensate for any movement of associatedvehicle bodies. It will befurther observed that both the coupler-supplementary yoke and thesupplementary yoke-yoke connections may be readily adjusted in order tocompensate for wear in connection which may result therein fromcontinued use.

It will, of course, be understood that merely exemplary forms of thepresent invention have inner and outer spherical surfaces, said outersurface being associated with a surface carried by said yoke, a couplerstem connected to said supplementary yoke and being adjustablelongitudinally therewith, a removable ball interposed between thecoupler stem and inner surface of said supplementary yoke, and meansconnecting said ball and yoke, said coupler stem and supplementary yoke[being adapted for universal movement about the ball with respect to theyoke.

2. In a draft rigging, in combination, a hooded yoke, a supplementaryyoke having an arcuate portion thereof positioned within the hood, saidarcuate portion being adapted to transmit bumng fonces to said yoke andprovided with an inner concave and an outer convex surface, said outersurface being associated with a surface carried by said yoke, a couplerstem adjustably connected to said supplementary .yoke and adapted to bemoved longitudinally of said supplementary yoke, said coupler stemhaving the rear portion thereof formed with a concave surface, meansinterposed between and concentric with the concave surfaces of thecoupler stem and arcuate portion of said supplementary yoke, and meansadjustably connecting said interposed means and yoke, said coupler stemand supplementary yoke being adapted for angling movement about saidinterposed means with respect to the yoke.

3. In a draft rigging, in combination, a yoke having spaced armsconnected adjacent their forward portions by an integrally formed wallprovided with a spherical concave surface, a U- shaped supplementaryyoke comprising spaced members. merging on the normal longitudinal axisof the draft rigging to form an arcuate web having an inner sphericalsurface and an outer spherical surface, the latter of which isconcentric with and engaging said yoke concave surface, a. coupler steminterposed between and removably connected to said spaced members, saidcoupler stem being longitudinally adjustable relative to saidsupplementary yoke and having a concave spherical rear surfaceconcentric with said inner surface, a ball interposed between theconcave surface of the coupler stem and the said inner surface, andconnecting means extending'through said ball and arms, said coupler stemand supplementary yoke being adapted for universal movement with respectto the yoke.

4. In a draft rigging, in combination, a yoke having spaced armsconnected adjacent their forward portions by an integrally formed wallprovided with a concave surface, a supplementary yoke comprising spacedmembers integrally united adjacent their forward portions by spacedreinforcing 'webs and merging on the normal longitudinal axis of thedraft rigging to form an arcuate web concentric with and engaging saidyoke concave surface, a coupler stem interposed between andlongitudinally adjustably connected to said spaced members, said couplerstem having a concave rear surface concentric with said arcuate web, aremovable'ball interposed between the concave surface of the couplerstem and the arcuate web, and adjustable means connecting said ball andarms, said coupler stem and supplementary yoke being adapted for angularmovement with respect to the yoke.

5. In a draft rigging, in combination, a yoke having spaced armsconnected adjacent their forward portions by an integrally formed wallprovided with a-spherically disposed surface, a supplementary yokecomprising a pair of spaced members integrally united by an arcuate webconcentric with and engaging the spherically disposed surface, a couplerstem interposed between said spaced members having a spherical concaverear surface concentric with said arcuate web, a ball concentric withand interposed between the concave surface of said coupler stem andarcuate web, means extending-'through-the coupler stem and spacedmembers adapted to urge the coupler stem into engagement with the ball,and additional means extending through the ball and spaced arms forurging the ball into engagement with the arcuate web, said coupler stemand supplementary yoke being adapted for universal movement about theball with respect to the yoke.

6. In a draft rigging, in combination, a yoke having spaced armsconnected adjacent their forward portions by an integrally formed wallprovided with a spherically disposed surface, a U-shaped supplementaryyoke comprising a pair of spaced members integrally united by an arcuateweb concentric with and engaging the spher ically disposed surface, acoupler stem interposed between said spaced members having a concavespherical rear surface concentric with said arcuate web, a. ballconcentric with and interposed between the concave surface of saidcoupler stem and arcuate web, adjustable means extending through thecoupler stem and spaced members for urging the coupler stem rearwardlyinto engagement with the ball, and additional adjustalble meansextending through the ball and spaced arms for urging the ballrearwardly into engagement with the arcuate web, said coupler stem andsupplementary yoke being adapted for universal movement about the ballwith respect to the yoke.

7. In a draft rigging, in combination, a hooded yoke, a supplementaryyoke comprising spaced members connected adjacent their forwardextremities by spaced reinforcing webs and a rear arcuate portionpositioned within the hood, said arcuate portion being adapted totransmit buffing forces to said yoke, a coupler stem longitudinallyadjustably connected to said spaced members and having a rear concaveportion concentric with the arcuate portion of the supplementary yoke,means interposed between the rear portion of said coupler stem and thearcuate portion, and means longitudinally adjustaibly connecting saidinterposed means and yoke, said coupler stem and supplementary yokebeing adapted for angling movement about the interposed means withrespect to the yoke.

8. In a draft rigging, in' combination, a yoke having spaced arms and anintegrally formed wall, a wear block positioned in a recess formed insaid wall, a U-shaped supplementary yoke comprising spaced membersmerging on the normal longitudinal axis of said draft rigging to form anarcuate web, said arcuate web being concentric with and engaging anarcuate surface provided in the wear block, a coupler stem interposedbetween and connected to said spaced members, said coupler stem having aconcave rear surface concentric with said arcuate web, a ball interposedbetween the'rear portion of the coupler stem and arcuate web, andlongitudinally adjustable means extending through said ball and arms,said coupler stem and supplementary yoke being adapted to move angularlyabout the ball with respect to the yoke.

9. In a draft rigging, in combination, a yoke having spaced arms and anintegrally formed wall, a removable wear block occupying a recess formedin said wall, a U-shaped supplementary yoke comprising spaced membersmerging on the normal longitudinal axis of said draft rigging to form anarcuate web, said arcuate web being concentric with and engaging anarcuate surface provided in the wear block, a coupler stem interposedbetween and longitudinally adjustably connected to said spaced members,said coupler stem having a concave rear surface concentric with saidarcuate web, interposed means concentric with and between the rearportion of the coupler stem and arcuate web, and adjustable meansextending through said interposed means and arms, said coupler stem andsupplementary yoke being adapted for angular movement about theinterposed means with respect to the yoke.

10. In a draft rigging, in combination, a yoke having spaced arms and anintegrally formed wall, a wear block positioned in a recess formed insaid wall, a U-shaped supplementary yoke comprising spaced membersmerging on the normal longitudinal axis of said draft rigging to form anarcuate web, said web having an outer spherical convex surfaceconcentric and in bearing relation with a spherical concave surfaceprovided in the wear block, a coupler stem interposed between andadjustably connected to said spaced members, said coupler stem having aspherical concave rear surface concentric with an inner sphericalconcave surface on said arcuate web, a ball interposed between and inbearing relation with the oncave surfaces of the coupler stem andarcuate web, a flange provided on one of said arms forming a bearing forsaid ball, and adjustable means extending through said ball and arms,said coupler stem and supplementary yoke being adapted to moveuniversally about the ball with respect to the yoke.

11. In a draft rigging, in combination, a hooded yoke, a supplementaryyoke member having an arcuate portion positioned within the hood andadapted to transmit bufling forces to said yoke, a coupler-supplementaryyoke member connection comprising a coupler stem member engaging andadjustably connected to said supplementary yoke member, said couplerstem member having the rear portion thereof concave and concentric withthe arcuate portion of the supplementary yoke member, shear lugsprovided on one member of the coupler-supplementary yokeconnectionextending within complementary grooves in the other of said members, anelement interposed between the rear portion of the coupler stem memberand arcuate portion of the supplementary yoke member, and meansadjustably connecting said element and yoke, said coupler stem andsupplementary yoke members being adapted for 7 5 of said wear block, acoupler stem interposed be-' tween and adjustably connected to saidspaced members, said coupler stem having a concave rear surfaceconcentric with said arcuate web, an apertured element interposedbetween the concave rear surface of said coupler stem and arcuate web,means extending through the apertures in the spaced arms and element toform a connection therebetween, and a flange defining one of theapertures in said arms extending inwardly of the yoke and providingabearlng for the element, thereby retaining the element in apredetermined position.

13. In a draft rigging, in combination, a yoke having spaced armsconnected adjacent their forward portions by an integrally formed wallprovided with a concave surface, a U-shaped supplementary yokecomprising a pair of spaced members united adjacent their forwardextremities by reinforcing webs and at their rear extremities by anarcuate web concentric with and engaging the concave surface of saidwall, a coupler stem interposed between and removably connected to saidspaced members, said coupler stem having a concave rear surfaceconcentric with said arcuate web, an element concentric with andinterposed between the rear surface of the coupler stem. and arcuateweb, and longitudinally adjustable connecting means extending throughsaid element and spaced arms.

14. In a draft rigging, in combination, a hooded yoke, a supplementaryyoke comprising spaced members united adjacent their forward portions byspaced reinforcing webs, an arcuate web connecting the rear extremitiesof said spaced members positioned within said hood and adapted totransmit bufllng forces to said yoke, a coupler,

stem interposed between said spaced members and reinforcing webs, saidcoupler stem engaging the spaced members and having the rear portionthereof formed with a concave surface, means interposed between theconcave surface of the coupler stem and arcuate portion of thesupplementary yoke, means extending through the coupler stem and spacedmembers for urging the concave surface of said coupler stem into bearingrelation with said interposed means, and additional means extendingthrough said interposed means and yoke for retaining a bearing relationbetween said interposed means, arcuate web and yoke.

15. In a draft rigging, in combination, a hooded yoke having spacedapertured arms, a supplementary'yoke having an end portion thereofpositioned between said arms, said end portion being arranged totransmit buffing forces to said yoke and provided with an outerspherical convex surface in bearing relation with a correspondinglyformed concave spherical surface associated with said yoke, saidsupplementary yoke having spaced members embracing a stem portion of anassociated coupler, means connecting said coupler stem and supplementaryyoke members, a spherical concave surface on said coupler stem, anapertured ball interposed between said coupler stem surface and an innerconcave relation thereto, said arms being connected together adjacentthe other extremity thereof by an arcuate web, said arcuate web havingan outer spherical convex surface adapted to bear against acorrespondingly formed surface carried by an associated,y0ke and aninner spherical concave surface forming a bearing for an associatedelement having a correspondingly formed surface and apertures in saidarms having inclined surfaces for the accommodation of associatedbridging means.

17. A supplementary yoke for a draft rigging I comprising spacedapertured arms connected together adjacent one extremity thereof byspaced web portions, said arms being connected together adjacent theother extremity thereof by an ar- I cuate web, said arcuate web havingan outer spherical convex surface and an inner spherical concavesurface, said web surfaces being adapted to engage correspondinglyformed surfaces of associated elements, each ofsaidapertur'es in saidarms having an inclined surface for direct engagement. withcorrespondingly formed surfaces of associated means adapted to occupysaid apertures.

18. In a draft rigging, in combination, a yoke I having a pair of spacedapertured arms connected together adjacent one extremity thereof by atransverse wall, a cupler structure having an apertured portion thereofpositioned between said arms and associated with said transverse wallfor the transmission of bufling forces to said yoke, and adjustablemeans extending through said apertures and in bearing relation with saidspaced arms and coupler structure for the transmission of draft forcesfrom the cupler structure to the yoke, said adjustable means comprisinga bolt having a wedge-shaped head at one end thereof occupying theaperture in one of said arms, a wedge occupying the aperture in theother of said arms, and a movable element associated with the bolt andin bearing relation with said wedge, whereas upon a manipulation of themovable element to shorten the effective length of the bolt, the couplerstructure will be forced toward said yoke wall.

19. A coupler structure-yoke connection, in a railway draft rigging,comprising a bolt having a wedge-shaped head portion thereof occupying acorrespondingly formed aperture in said yoke, a stem of said boltextending through a suitable aperture in said coupler structure and inbearing relation with said coupler structure, a. wedge positioned in acorrespondingly formed aperture in said yoke, said wedge forming abearing for said bolt stem, a movable element associated with said boltstem and in bearing relation with said wedge, whereas upon amanipulation of the movable element to shorten the effective length ofthe bolt, the coupler structure will be moved relatively to said yoke.

20. A supplementary yoke for -a draft rigging comprising spaced membersconnected together adjacent one extremity thereof by spaced webportions, said members being connected together adjacent the otherextremity thereof by an arcuate web, said arcuate web having an outerspherical convex surface arranged to bear against a correspondingsurface of an associated yoke,

and an inner spherical concave surface forming a bearing for anassociated element having a correspondingly formed surface, and lugsextending inwardly of said supplementary yoke from each of said members.

21. A yoke device for a draft rigging comprising spaced arms joinedintermediate their ends by an integrally formed rear wall, a front wallspaced from said rear wall and extending between said yoke arms,reinforcing webs joining device comprising spaced arms joined integrallyintermediate their ends by a wall, a wear plate positioned in a recessin said wall, a supplementary yoke comprising spaced members joinedadjacent one end by a connecting portion having inner and outer arcuatesurfaces, said outer surface bearing against a complementally formedsurface on said wear plate, an element interposed between said spacedmembers and bearing against said inner ar'cuate surface, means extendingthrough apertures in said spaced arms and element, means extendinginwardly of said yoke device from one of said arms and engaging saidelement, a coupler stem guidingly received between said spaced members,and adjustable means associated with said spaced members and couplerstem for urging said coupler stem into I intimate contact with saidelement, said coupler stem and supplementary yoke being adapted to anglein a horizontal plane about said element and with respect to said yoke.

23. In a draft rigging, in combination, a yoke comprising spaced armsconnected intermediate their ends by longitudinally spaced front andrear walls, reinforcing webs joining said front and rear walls, saidspaced arms being apertured forwardly of said front wall, inclinedsurfaces in said apertures, a coupler structure having a rear portionthereof interposed between said spaced arms and having a rear surfaceassociated with a surface carried by said forward wall, adjustable meansextending between said spaced arms for retaining said coupler structurerear surface in intimate contact with said associated surface, saidadjustable means comprising a bolt having a wedge-shaped head in bearingrelation with an inclined surface of one of said arm apertures and astem extending through said coupler structure and the other of said armapertures, a removable wedge positioned in the other arm aperture andbearing against the inclined surface thereof, said wedge forming abearing for said stem, and a movable element associated with said stemand bea ing ag'ainst said wedge.

DONALD S. BARROWS. EMIL- H. BLAT'I'NER.

